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Industry wants more anti-piracy resources

Groups seek stronger enforcement, education

NEW YORK -- First-ever U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel received various comments by a Wednesday deadline for input on a joint strategic plan she is required by law to put together. The key message from industry groups was: more needs to be done!

The MPAA, AFTRA, DGA, SAG, IATSE, the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) submitted a joint filing that hailed the promise of new online distribution models, but also emphasized that its potential is undermined by new methods of digital theft.

"The growth of online theft of copyrighted works presents the greatest and most urgent challenge," the alliance said. When new online networks are abused "that undermines seriously the incentive to invest in the creation of content for this new medium, or for more traditional distribution channels."

The organizations highlighted emerging problem areas, such as the abuse of social networking sites, online lockers and direct streaming sites, and urged that "additional resources and tools be made available to address the increasingly sophisticated means of conducting online copyright theft."

Meanwhile, the Copyright Alliance encouraged the Obama administration to pursue additional intellectual property rights enforcement and education. In addition, individual artists and creators that are part of the Alliance also told their own stories in their own submissions.

"We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Joint Strategic Plan," said Copyright Alliance executive director Patrick Ross. "America's economy is fueled by the creative industries and its millions of workers. A coordinated, comprehensive federal plan to ensure that intellectual property rights are recognized and enforced is a welcome and critical investment in U.S. economic growth and job creation."

The Alliance made suggestions on the coordination across federal agencies to improve copyright enforcement domestically and abroad. It also emphasized the importance of education on "the value of copyright to our economy and our culture."